ISTB 4

ISTB 4
Name	ISTB 4
Location	Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States
Completion date	2012
Architect	Gould Evans in association with Lord Aeck Sargent
Owner	Arizona State University
Floor area	298,000 sq ft

ISTB 4. The Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building 4 is a major research facility at Arizona State University's Tempe, Arizona campus. Completed in 2012, it serves as a central hub for interdisciplinary scientific inquiry and technological innovation. The building houses several high-profile research centers and is designed to foster collaboration across traditional academic boundaries.

Overview

ISTB 4 is a cornerstone of Arizona State University's commitment to becoming a leading institution for transdisciplinary research. It consolidates expertise from fields like astrobiology, planetary science, and sustainability under one roof. The facility is home to the School of Earth and Space Exploration and the Biodesign Institute's Center for Sustainable Health. Its strategic location on the Tempe, Arizona campus places it near other key research structures like the ISTB 1 and the Memorial Union.

History

The planning for ISTB 4 began in the late 2000s as part of a broader expansion of Arizona State University's research infrastructure under President Michael M. Crow. Construction was managed by the Sundt Construction company, with the building officially opening in 2012. Its development was driven by the vision of the NASA-funded Astrobiology Institute and the growing needs of the Biodesign Institute. The opening ceremony featured notable figures from NASA and the National Science Foundation.

Architecture and Design

The architectural design was a collaboration between the firms Gould Evans and Lord Aeck Sargent, emphasizing transparency and connectivity. The building's facade features extensive use of glass and metal, while its interior is organized around a soaring, multi-story atrium designed to encourage spontaneous interaction. Key design elements include specialized laboratories with vibration-dampening floors and a prominent rooftop observatory housing a Planetarium dome. The layout intentionally blurs lines between departments like the School of Earth and Space Exploration and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.

Facilities and Laboratories

ISTB 4 contains over 100 specialized laboratories, including clean rooms, laser labs, and a Class 10000 cleanroom for assembling sensitive instruments. The building features the state-of-the-art Marston Exploration Theater, a immersive visualization facility used for public outreach and data analysis. Other notable spaces include the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera Science Operations Center and laboratories dedicated to the Mars Space Flight Facility. Support infrastructure includes advanced scanning electron microscope suites and a high-performance computing cluster.

Research and Development

Research within ISTB 4 is highly interdisciplinary, focusing on grand challenges in science and technology. Teams from the School of Earth and Space Exploration work on missions for NASA and the European Space Agency, such as the Psyche (spacecraft) mission. Scientists at the Biodesign Institute conduct pioneering work in biosignatures and biomedical engineering. The building is also a key node for the NASA Astrobiology Institute, investigating the origins of life and the potential for life on Mars and Europa (moon).

Collaborations and Partnerships

ISTB 4 fosters extensive collaborations with federal agencies, international consortia, and private industry. Primary partners include NASA, the National Science Foundation, and the United States Geological Survey. The facility hosts researchers from the German Aerospace Center and collaborates on projects with institutions like the University of Tokyo and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Corporate partnerships with entities such as Intel and Boeing support applied research in materials science and aerospace engineering.

Category:Arizona State University Category:Buildings and structures in Tempe, Arizona Category:Research institutes in Arizona